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Postpartum
Postpartum
Navigate the period after giving birth with guidance for recovery from a vaginal birth or c-section and information for women who breastfeed or bottle-feed.
Sore, cracked and irritated nipples are a common symptom in the early days of breastfeeding. However, cracked nipples are usually a sign that your baby isn’t latching correctly. Because your baby will feed frequently in the first few days and weeks (expect to feed 8-12 times in a 24 hour period), sore nipples will get progressively worse unless you seek expert advice and guidance. This is vital as nipple pain is one of the reasons why new mothers stop breastfeeding earlier than they intended.
Travel is a priority for my Australian/Fijian family. We try to get back to Fiji once a year so the boys can better understand and have a strong sense of pride in their cultural heritage. I’m also partial to a margarita by the pool.
If you’re recovering from a caesarean birth (c-section) it’s helpful to remember that your body needs to heal after major abdominal surgery. Caesarean births are common (roughly one in three in Australia) but significant surgery requires adequate recovery time. Here’s what you can expect in your caesarean recovery.
There is so much talk about baby sleep – ‘is he a good sleeper?’ ‘How many naps does he have during the day?’ ‘Is she sleeping through the night?’ but we’re missing the conversations about maternal sleep.
If you had a caesarean birth and you’ve noticed an overhang or a bulge over your scar, we want you to know that it’s completely normal and a natural part of birth recovery. It’s not dependent on whether you had a planned or emergency caesarean nor is it a result of a bad incision or hindered healing process; it’s simply a common side-effect of wound healing.
Engorged breasts are normal and expected in early postpartum. If you’ve just birthed your first baby and you’re shocked at the firmness and fullness of your breasts, don’t be alarmed. This is your body doing its job; making and storing breastmilk after birth.
You may have heard some nightmarish stories about mastitis and frankly, it’s not something you want to contend with at any stage of your breastfeeding journey. It’s most common in the first three months postpartum but it can strike at any time, particularly if your baby has reduced their feeds, is starting to sleep for longer periods at night or you’re weaning.
In early postpartum, breastfeeding and sleep challenges are common and can contribute to anxiety and overwhelm. Unless you have a private midwife, there’s a distinct void of health services in postpartum which makes it challenging to access professional support. It’s definitely beneficial to be aware of this in pregnancy so you can adequately prepare for postpartum.
Firstly, if you’ve recently birthed your baby and your bleeding has increased, don’t delay in seeking medical attention. It’s recommended to present to the emergency department at your local hospital and explain that you’ve recently given birth and you’re concerned about your blood loss. You may be experiencing a postpartum haemorrhage.
If you’re currently pregnant and starting to gather essentials for your baby, chances are you’re thinking about the must-haves for your nappy bag.
The colloquial and derogatory term, baby brain, has been used for decades to explain the forgetfulness and brain fog of new motherhood. But research proves that the brain in new motherhood is primed for learning.
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